Turners women’s center offers Thursday break

TURNERS FALLS — In the belief that mothers of young children might want a little time to themselves on occasion, the Turners Falls Women’s Resource Center is now offering free child care for mothers attending its Thursday morning open hours.

The program runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays.

Staff suggest stopping in to sit and read the paper, have a cup of coffee, go online, engage in a craft, talk to other women, or do nothing at all. The center — at 41 Third St., the Avenue A intersection — has bookshelves, computers, and toys for the children in separate rooms.

The Family Center caters to children, aiming to enhance children’s social and emotional development and early literacy skills. The adjoining Turners Falls Women’s Resource Center offers resources including a lending library, free used clothes, information on local resources, arts and craft supplies, peer support and a brand new computer lab.

Both are programs of Montague Catholic Social Ministries, which receives funds through the Massachusetts Family Center grant to Community Action of Franklin, Hampshire and North Quabbin Regions from the Massachusetts Children’s Trust. MCSM is a partner of Community Action in providing the services of the Mass. Family Center.

The Children’s Trust provides resources and support to assist families with children ages prenatal through six years in becoming as strong and secure as possible. Their goal is to “strengthen the Common-wealth by funding and managing parenting support programs designed to help families raise physically and emotionally healthy children,” according to their website.